My family and I just got 2 llamas that are seven and eight months old. I have been watching your videos often on for the last few months having known that we would be getting these two llamas and waiting for them to be weaned off of their mothers. I am very excited to start desensitizing and training our llamas since they are so young. We are actually horse people and this is already a lot different. I will admit though that the llamas were terrifying and adorable all at the same time [at first.] HAHAHAHA

Kirstin, I can tell that your llamas really trust you; which mean that they are going to learn a lot really fast. You did a awesome job and your an excellent trainer. I can tell that you will have no problems raising a ton of kids. You show a lot of patients and love. Great job!!!

@wildernessridgetrailllamas6971

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Michael! I appreciate your kind words. I think that it is easiest to learn when there isn't any pressure. So, I always try to give that courtesy to the kids around me - llama or otherwise :) I believe that as a teacher, your most important job is to establish a strong trusting and relationship. It is irreplaceable.

That's crazy how much time you spend with these animals. Very impressive!

Great video. They don't seem to be real hard headed . Thank you

@wildernessridgetrailllamas6971

5 жыл бұрын

We agree with you. It seems like if they trust you they are then eager to learn new things.

Love it, awesome video.

@wildernessridgetrailllamas6971

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Kyle. I will pass on the message to Kirstin. This was all her. Truth be told she is a better trainer then me.

Great video! How old were Zoey and Ponderosa in this? Would love to see more videos like this and get more insight into your guys training techniques. I think it’s the best way to really get an idea of the responsibility you take on when you get a llama with the intention to pack with them. How long had you been working with Zoey on walking, standing, and trailering previous to this video? I would really like to see how you guys start with putting the halters on the llamas and getting them used to that as well as the packs.

@wildernessridgetrailllamas6971

5 жыл бұрын

They were both 13 months on this video. Our training with them starts as they are just a few days old. Thank you for the great suggestions. We will try to keep making videos along these lines.

In dog training, we use treats as lures when introducing new behaviors (also used for other large mammals like dolphins/seals/etc) wondering if that'd help with trailer/lead work with the Llamas? What are your thoughts using (and phasing out) food lures as part of the positive reinforcement (I'm assuming they are food motivated)?

@wildernessridgetrailllamas6971

5 жыл бұрын

Hey Jason- that is a great idea and something that works very well with llamas. Clicker training also works well with them. Usually with dogs and other mammals they have one or two handlers that they love and trust. Our llamas will have 300-400 different handlers each year as they go out on the trail. When we did reward training we found that they got stubborn when their trainers (us) were not around. We have moved away from food lures for the time being and working towards more of a student to teacher symbiotic relationship. Our methods are still in the proving ground stage. But who knows what the next 5 years will bring. Live and learn right?

@json9069

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Kirstin. That's interesting (and hysterical). Also, sounds a lot like dogs (and every other trained animal I've worked with). As I've discovered (and you'll probably agree) the foundation for a successful working relationship is the bond and the trust you build with the animal during training- everything else flows from there. I guess the closest similar situation I've worked with would be rented horses - in that business, only the very mature/well natured/"easy going" ones are rented out and rarely (if ever) without a trained guide along for the ride. I could see clicker training working well - especially if each customer is given a crash course on using the clicker and working with the animals before departure. I'll be eagerly following along and would love to hear more about how your methods are working. Thanks again and best of luck in the New Year.